Canadiens Pre Game
Canadiens Playoff Preview & Lines: St-Louis Coy About Changes
The Montreal Canadiens (0-2) are set to host the Washington Capitals (2-0) at the Bell Centre, with the puck drop scheduled for 7 pm ET.
There’s no doubt this will be the most important game of the year for the Habs, as they attempt to stop the Capitals from taking a chokehold on the series.
Considering the Canadiens are the lowest ranked team in the playoffs, and the Capitals are the top team in the Eastern Conference, the mere fact that Montreal has pushed the envelope in Game 1 and Game 2 is encouraging, however, a win in Montreal would certainly give the youngest team in the playoffs a significant confidence boost.
Head coach Martin St-Louis did not confirm whether there would be any lineup changes, which means Arber Xhekaj may once again watch the game from the press box alongside Michael Pezzetta, much to the chagrin of a large swath of Canadiens fans. As for the new line combinations St-Louis put in place in the third period of Wednesday’s game, it remains to be seen if he’ll reunite Ivan Demidov, Jake Evans, and Alex Newhook on the second line in a desperate bid to receive offensive contributions from more than just the first line.
BREAKING: The Montreal Canadiens Set To Play Arber Xhekaj In Game 3
The sample size was limited, but when Demidov was playing with his new linemates the numbers were fantastic, to the point that it clearly merits another kick at the can.
MUST READ: A New Playoff Hope Emerges For Canadiens and Ivan Demidov
It should also be noted forward Patrik Laine was not present at practice, as he was busy making his way to the infirmary for a maintenance day.
Habs coach Marty St. Louis today:
“I think we’ve been a group that’s very resilient throughout the season. I don’t think that’s gonna change. I wouldn’t say we were at our best in game 1 & game 2 but you saw us fight to the end. I think that’s what this group is.” pic.twitter.com/pETtHaGkhb
— /r/Habs (@HabsOnReddit) April 25, 2025
As for the Capitals, forward Aliaksei Protas did travel with the team to Montreal, and he was spotted practicing in a normal jersey on Friday morning, but we’re yet to receive confirmation he will take his regular place in the top six, alongside Alexandre Ovechkin and Dylan Strome.
Montreal Canadiens Projected Lineup
| Cole Caufield | Nick Suzuki | Juraj Slafkovsky |
| Ivan Demidov | Jake Evans | Alex Newhook |
| Josh Anderson | Christian Dvorak | Brendan Gallagher |
| Emil Heineman | Oliver Kapanen | Joel Armia |
| Mike Matheson | Alexandre Carrier** |
| Kiaden Guhle | Lane Hutson |
| Arber Xhekaj | David Savard |
| Jakub Dobes |
| Cayden Primeau |
Washington Capitals Projected Lineup
Alex Ovechkin – Dylan Strome – Anthony Beauvillier
Connor McMichael – Pierre-Luc Dubois – Tom Wilson
Andrew Magiapane – Lars Eller – Ryan Leonard
Brandon Duhaime – Nic Dowd – Taylor Raddysh
Jakub Chychrun – John Carlson
Rasmus Sandin – Matt Roy
Alexander Alexeyev – Trevor van Riemsdyk
Logan Thompson
Charlie Lindgren
How to Watch the Montreal Canadiens vs. the Washington Capitals, Friday, April 25, 2025
Game 3 of the Capitals – Canadiens series will be aired on TVA Sports and Sportsnet. Once the game is over, an instant recap complete with highlights will be available on Montreal Hockey Now.
Seems msl is hell bent on setting xhekaj up to fail. Doesnt want to do the best for club and bench savard.. So xhekaj will play with savard… Sorry msl… Cant defend this one
” Pushed the envelope”… hahaha.. good one Marc!
They literally went to OT in the first game, and the Capitals went into prevent defence to secure their fragile one-goal lead in the third period of Game 2.
And that’s not up for debate. They have clearly done a decent job when you consider they’re an 8-seed facing a 1-seed.
It’s all about context when discussing sports, and if we ignore the context here we’d be delving into intellectual dishonesty.
…welll intellectual dishonesty is my middle name!!!
… oh no it its no its david… mmm nevermind…